world on fire

On my way back to the US last month, I spent 6 days in the southern part of Greece. The country had been experiencing higher-than-average temperatures for several weeks prior to our arrival. A few weeks after returning to the US, the news reported stories of wildfires and accompanying record-setting heat waves. Now, fires are burning out of control throughout the country and historic sites are being threatened by the flames. Greece is in a state of emergency and the country is on fire. Greece is perhaps most known for its significance in ancient times - a place filled with legends and legacy - a plethora of Gods and Goddesses who each ruled their own respective facets of life on the earth, in the sea, and in the underworld. Yet the Bible teaches there is only ONE God, He who created the heavens and the earth: "ye shall have no other gods before me". Could it be that God is showing his wrath upon Greece, punishment for its years of tradition, mythology, and idolatry, with its preservation of historical sites designed to continually "honor" these gods of ancient times?

This weekend, I spent a few days in Las Vegas (aka "Sin City") with a few good friends. The purpose of the trip was to watch one of our favorite bands 311 play a live concert at the Palms. However any trip to Vegas is not complete without experiencing (or at least observing) the modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah lifestyle of pleasure and debauchery. America in and of itself has become a country that has turned its back on God, originally founded as "one nation under God, indivisible". We have our unlimited credit cards, endless forms of entertainment and pleasure, and powerful corporations who rule the country, thus there is no real need for GOD. We can do it ourselves, we are educated, successful, and confident, and most importantly we accept everyone despite their cultural differences or their distorted religious doctrines.

Vegas is perhaps the most extreme example of the American lifestyle of pleasure and entertainment - "gratifying the desires of the sinful nature" as per Biblical terminology. Unfortunately, this intense environment creates a worthwhile escape from many people's normal lives, providing the ability to "indulge" the senses in the carnal pleasures of the earthly realm. I have always equated Las Vegas to a debaucherous place and generally try to stay away as per my own ethical standards and religious beliefs, but a sore reminder serves a soul good - an example of how NOT to live your life.

After the wrath of God came upon the earth in the Old Testament in the form of a flood (see Noah's Ark story), He said he would never again destroy the earth by a flood. Yet the earth has experienced extreme weather conditions all over the world in the last several years, possibly as a warning or reminder that God is omnipresent and knows what the people are doing. God is behind the powerful forces of nature - they are NOT just random ecological phenomena resulting from global warming. Will he destroy the earth by FIRE, as punishment for our sinful lifestyles, void of God? Or will the radical Islamists pursue their quest for a one-world religion, which defies the teachings of the Bible and denies Jesus Christ as Savior and forgiver of our earthly sins? If entire countries are being punished for their sins, shouldn't we recognize the trend and get responsible for our OWN lifestyles? After all, nobody REALLY wants to see the world go up in flames.

food and freedom

"Hey Nic, want to come over for lunch and a ride in my boat?" asked his friend George. "You bet, we should definitely catch up and talk about our amazing jobs, and what's been going on in the Middle East," replied Nic, who jumped on his private jet and flew to the Land of the Free. I'm always so excited when my favorite politicians make the headlines, and yesterday was no exception when Nicolas Sarkozy and George Bush had lunch together at his estate in Maine. Though halfway across the world from each other, the US and Europe share the blessings of freedom and all good things Western.

While the US and France have not always had the strongest of ties, last May's election of Conservative Nicolas Sarkozy was monumental in putting France back on the map as an active player in international politics. With an active political history and an aggressive forward agenda, Nic has been on pace to take over the world, with the help of the other Western powers. "France is friends with democracies, not with dictatorships," Sarkozy exclaimed to the media. As George and Nic engaged in their lunchtime talks, they realized they had lots in common where it really counts. "The good thing about President Sarkozy is you know where he stands. He can tell you exactly what he thinks. I hope he'd say the same thing about me," said George. Both men possess the confidence and positive outlook necessary to keep things rolling, and to stop the forces of evil from prevailing. On the table was prevention of Iran's pursuit of a nuclear (or as George says "nucular") weapon.

On a beautiful day for a boat ride, Nic and George took advantage of their freedom and spent quality time bonding. Talking politics can sometimes get a little unsettling, even when a good homecooked meal is involved. Nic admitted that even though they share a similar political stance on most issues, that "even in family, there are disagreements. But we are still the same family." Nic's pro-American and pro-Israel stance undoubtedly drives his eagerness to bond with George, his Western brother. This year marks the beginning of a "new era of relations with the French", according to White House spokesman Tony Snow. Let the good times roll, and enjoy our Western freedoms... indivisible, with liberty and justice for all!

fear of the other

within the discipline of Middle East Studies, a phenomenon (or sub-discipline) known as Orientalism emerged in the late 70's. A Palestinian scholar by the name of Edward Said made great contributions to the discipline, to the point of questioning the legitimacy of the West's stark perpetual claims about the East. Thus many critics and scholars have debated his views expressed through his writings, though his position was indeed one of validity. Said is an example of a Palestinian Arab who CHOSE to leave the East and make a life for himself in the West. What he did from that point forward not only showed what kind of motivated educated person he was, but inspired others to explore his teachings and unconventional perspectives, the world of the other.

Shortly before I left for Israel, my friend Gage told me about a class he had taken in this discipline, and recommended I read Edward Said's popular book entitled "Orientalism". I skimmed a copy, which at the time overwhelmed me, but upon my arrival in Israel I enrolled in a course entitled "Orientalism and the Bible Lands: From Napoleon to Hollywood". I am now finishing my research for that course, which has really made me think about many global cultural issues in a different light than I may have otherwise. Consider what you know about the Middle East, and how much of it is based solely on what you've learned from the media, particularly Hollywood's over-romanticization of the East and the stereotypes it has created.

Throughout the school year, we read numerous excerpts from popular works of literature, travel writings by people who had visited the Middle East, and watched film clips from movies which typified (or stereotyped) the Orient. In addition, the course focused on the portrayal of "the Bible Lands" with a strong emphasis on Christianity, being the primary religion of the British "occupiers" or "owners" of the land. This in and of itself brought up interesting debates among students who were religious (or not so religious) Jews, myself being the token Christian in the group, and a handful of more secular students studying the Middle East or literature in general. I remember getting into an "argument" with a "Jewish" woman (claiming her Jewish roots though quite secular) about the legitimacy of Edward Said's writings. This discussion erupted after our reading of "Zionism from the Standpoint of its Victims" from Said's famous work "The Question of Palestine". Though I myself am very Pro-Israel, I raised the issue (as per Said's claims) of Zionism as terrorism (such as Menachem Begen episode, etc). The woman was appalled by my statements, and began yelling during our round-table discussion, going off about Edward Said having the gall to make such claims. I later noted that Said's legitimacy should not be questioned, though often candid and abrasive in his stance against Zionism, he had every right to publish such works, himself being more educated than anyone sitting in our classroom.

While I do not subscribe to all of Said's claims (and I was not necessarily arguing in favor of his stance), his writings are so heavily debated that they really make people think. I believe that so many people are so absorbed in their own viewpoints that they do not take the time to even listen to someone else's opinion. Granted there are a lot of distorted opinions out there, but a legitimate PhD scholar / professor / author / expert in his discipline such as Palestinian-born pro-Palestinian scholar Edward Said should be accepted as such, if not respected for his contribution to the discipline of Middle East Studies. I also think that people's fear of the other, and lack of knowledge about cultures other than their own, contribute a great deal to their perception of the world. Truthfully, I really admire Said for getting out of Palestine and traveling the world, exploring all it had to offer, and making a life for himself - ultimately settling in the West. We have the best opportunities for education and LIFE, better than (I hate to say it) parts of the East. What are you afraid of? Explore the world, academically or through other forms of cultural immersion, to gain a broader understanding of our diverse world.